THE SYRIAN CAPTAIN

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 17, 1880

THE SYRIAN CAPTAIN.

"Go wash in Jordan's limpid stream," Of old the holy prophet said; "Its waves with healing virtue teem, And health and purity they spread.

The Syrian captain vainly thought The streams his native land supplied Might yield the benefit he sought, And rival Israel's fairest tide.

Too little for his courtly gait The simple rule Elisha gave; Nothing to suit his sumptuous state He saw in Jordan's flowing wave.

Incensed he turned his steps aside, "And is this all?" disdainful said— "Some greater thing he might have tried, And on the place his hand have laid.

Abana's, Pharpar's waters flow With health and healing influence filled; In them I'll bathe my limbs, and show The powerful virtue which they yield."

His humble menials wiselier deem, Urge him to prove the small command; And now emerging from the stream, In fairest health they see him stand.

The Syrian captain's case is ours— We scorn to wash in Jordan's wave. And fancy our own boasted powers From woe and from disease will save.

Let us inquire, in humble faith, What waters may effectual be To save us from the power of death, From sickness and from sorrow free.

Let all who hail the gospel light Our greater Prophet hear, and live; No substituted splendid rite Can holy absolution give.

Rivers of oil, or wine, poured forth Shall fail to wash the soul from sin; Rich sacrifice is nothing worth To heal the wounded heart within.

The Captain of our hope and faith Obeyed the Father's will, and died; He died an ignominious death, Was persecuted, crucified!

His followers now his cross must bear, Must tread the suffering path he trod; If rough the road, and full of care, The end is safe—it leads to God.